The directions he had been given to find Daphne took him to a part of the Manor grounds he hadn’t seen before - which wasn’t exactly unusual. He expected to find a garden or some sort of area for spell practice, but instead he came across a small cottage nestled in its own clearing within the woods.
He didn’t walk right in but instead knocked, waiting patiently outside before the door quietly opened. A pair of cold blue eyes examined at him for a long moment, and he held the gaze until Daphne Greengrass eventually turned and walked back into the cottage.
Harry followed, taking a seat on the couch and seeing that tea was already prepared by some house-elves earlier. Across from him, the beautiful Greengrass heiress sat primly with her own tea in its saucer on her lap, seemingly content to hold the silence.
“How did you find this place?” She eventually asked.
“Aspasia told me, right before she left for the Wizengamot earlier.” He answered.
“How gracious of her.” He could hear the sarcasm in her tone. “What do you think her reasoning for doing so was?”
“My first guess would be caution, in case something happened and I needed to find you quickly.” He shrugged, even as her eyes widened slightly. “Otherwise I’d say she wanted us to talk more.”
“And you want me to believe you didn’t question Mother about my whereabouts beforehand?” She asked cooly. “That you showing up here isn’t part of some nefarious scheme?”
His lips quirked. “You greatly overestimate me.”
“Do I?” She shot back. “My own Mother, the smartest witch I know, and my sister, both of which you have wrapped around your finger. And now you show up here, likely to do the same to me?”
He grimaced. “When you put it like that…”
He knew she was shit testing him in that moment, as he had been forewarned many times about Daphne’s bitchy attitude. The only question was whether to fight back forcefully - which might push her away - or calmly navigate it in a way that would have her lowering her walls.
Harry had decided to do that latter, as being nasty and forceful with Daphne at this point in their relationship would do more harm than good. They hadn’t kissed or hugged, and her view of him was more negative than good, meaning he had to put up with her pissy attitude until their relationship progressed further.
As for the future, the thought of punishing the Ice Queen and spanking her ass red as punishment was very appealing, but as the saying went, good things came to those who could wait.
She folded her arms. “So you admit it.”
“Er, whatever you’re trying to say isn’t really true. Both Aspasia and Astoria are their own people, and can make their own decisions.” He dodged her accusation. “I’m hardly smart enough to convince or deceive either of them. As for you, I figured we could talk after what happened at the World Cup, and that I could apologize for everything-”
“Apologize?” She blinked in shock, stiffening as if she hadn’t expected him to say that. “I can’t say I blame you for anything that happened.”
“Still, it was me who instigated our entire trip to go watch the game.” He rubbed his neck. “Neither you or Astoria should’ve been dragged along in the first place, nor should you have been there for the attack. Right now I just wish I had gone alone with Ron’s family, or even not gone at all.”
He wouldn’t say the blonde was outright gaping at him, but rather staring intently with a very confused expression on her face. “So that’s what you thought…”
He tilted his head curiously. “How else would I have thought about it?”
“Nothing.” She said quickly as redness rose in her cheeks, as she took a sip of her tea. “Just about the end and how you faced down those Death Eaters became of my folly.”
He recalled taking down those two cloaked attackers before freeing her from those bindings, guiding her by the hand as they walked out of the forest before that pink-haired auror found them.
“Eh.” He shrugged. “Nothing to write home about.”
Daphne’s eye twitched. “So taking down two Death Eaters is no big deal for Harry Potter?”
“Just an afternoon’s work.” He joked. “And actually there were three Death Eaters, as I fought one before I handled those other idiots.”
“So he was just the warm-up then?”
“You have a sense of humour.” He noted.
“I have a refined sense of humour,” She sniffed. “There’s a distinction.”
“Of course there is.”
She lifted her tea and took a sip before setting it down elegantly. He couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in her shoulders however, the almost undetectable way they dropped to indicate she had slightly relaxed.
Daphne was a piece of work with a hard exterior, that much both Astoria and her Mother had driven home, but just then he could glimpse what lay beyond. He couldn’t wait for the day when she would let down her walls around him, and none of that had anything to do with her gorgeous body.
“The contract.” She suddenly said, using a strict tone that was more armored compared to before. “Have you managed to learn more about it?”
“I can’t say I have.” Her poker face was kept in place at his answer.
“Did you know about it before summer began?”
“No.” He resisted the urge to heavily frown. “I should have, but there was a mess going on with my accounts at Gringotts. Aspasia has helped me sort everything out since.”
She didn’t reply to that, seemingly thinking his answer over.
“Did you ever expect this to happen?” He couldn’t help but ask then, his curiosity getting the better of him. “To get in a Marriage Contract like this?”
She hesitated. “I knew there would be an arrangement at some point, but not for it to be as sudden as this.”
“What did you think when you found out it was me?”
“I thought…” She seemed to think over the question, eyeing her tea. “That of all the outcomes I had prepared for, Harry Potter was not among them.”
“Was that bad?”
She gave him a look to let him know he had inquired too much, and he nodded in supplication. He reminded himself to take things slow and not to push too hard, as their conversation lapsed into quiet once again.
“I’m not going to make this miserable for you.” He felt that he needed to say this, even if it would only make things worse. “I want you to know that. Whatever we decide, whatever we do from now on, I’m not going to be the reason your life gets worse.”
“You’re not what I expected.” She said after a long moment. “Potter.”
“You can call me Harry, you know.”
“I’m aware.” Exasperation seemed to pass through her gaze. “Astoria keeps reminding me.”
/////
Her palms felt sweaty as she sat down in her normal seat, with Lord Burke and Lady Brown sitting at her sides, followed by Lord Abbott behind her. They were her closest allies, belonging to Houses that had sat in this council for generations. The Grey section in the Wizengamot was small, and her House was one of the few truly powerful ones in their party.
That was going to change today, and Aspasia Greengrass was going to be the perpetrator of that change.
Dumbledore’s gavel cracked, as chattering in the chamber seemed to come to a halt while the doors banged closed. Things were more lively than usual, with the disaster at the World Cup having being top of mind for most.
The Chief Warlock began the session. “I, Albus Dumbledore, formally convene this gathering of Lords and Ladies of the Wizards Council, in their opening meeting of-”
Aspasia tuned out the old fool as he gave a speech she had heard a dozen times before. It was always the same, having unsubtle undertones that emphasized equality and understanding in a way that sent the Dark faction seething. Already she could visualize the thoughts running through Tiberius Nott’s head across from her, likely being about torturing muggles and mudbloods. The man’s teeth looked like they were close to snapping by the time Dumbledore finished his speech.
“-and as we continue to nurture and develop our world. I begin this formal opening of the year by asking that any claimants come forward to be welcomed into these halls.”
Several younger wizards did step forwards from the crowd, ready to be introduced to the Wizengamot for the first time. None of the new lords were truly surprising, although the fact House Pembroke’s aging Lord finally seemed to kick the bucket was a surprise, as his great grandson, a man aged forty, replaced him. There was also the minor matter of Nadia Zabini attempting to lay claim to not one, but three minor houses through marriage.
But as the line of claimants got shorter, Aspasia found herself feeling more uncomfortable than ever. She would never admit to being unhappy or unfulfilled, but simply unacquainted with all the new changes in her life.
Harry Potter had rocked her world - in more ways than one - and brought more changes than she thought possible to House Greengrass. Months of nonstop paperwork had finally led to this moment, when just a sliver of Harry’s life and his relationship to her House would be revealed for all to see and speculate on.
For a moment she thought about abandoning her plans, simply trying to lay low and ride out the storm in her manor, before crushing that thought. She loved Harry Potter, and so did the rest of her family, to the point that he was actively considered family. And what she was about to do was for her family, and that was all that mattered.
She stood, an action that made a slight mess around herself due to the various reactions. She had never brought much attention to herself in these chambers, and a powerful House like hers making a claim was no small matter.
She scooted past her neighbors, trying to look as dignified as possible while doing so, before descending the steps to the chamber floor right as the new Lady Goshawk finished claiming her Lordship. The young woman sent Aspasia a glance, before heading up the stairs to her new seat.
“Who approaches?” The Chief Warlock asked as she marched across the room.
“Lady Aspasia, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass approaches.”
“And what Houses does House Greengrass lay claim to?” Dumbledore asked neutrally, but his eyes shown with interest. The other occupants in the chamber were interested too, and everyone seemed to have leaned forwards in anticipation.
“House Greengrass has been requested to be made proxy,” Aspasia began, “of House Potter.”
The entire chamber seemed to freeze in place, before it promptly exploded with noise. Dumbledore paled, his face losing all color as his expression changed to show pure shock. The Light faction wasn’t much better, either looking suddenly sick or glaring and yelling at her in outrage. The Dark faction seemed to find the whole matter amusing, as any way to hurt Dumbledore was okay in their books, and were openly cheering and mocking their opposition.
She could see the gears turning in Dumbledore’s mind, and he soon recovered from his shock. The Chief Warlock and Headmaster of Hogwarts seemed to run through a million possibilities as he stared at her. Whatever his conclusions were, he definitely knew that she was at least in contact with Harry Potter, and Aspasia guessed he was mulling over the worst possibilities imaginable in that moment.
“Y-You-” Dumbledore began, stuttering, as the chamber exploded around him in yells and jeers. He suddenly seemed to realize the state of the place as he yelled at the rioting attendees. “Silence! You are Lords, not children!”
They all quieted, because of course they all wanted to see how Aspasia Greengrass of people had managed to become the proxy for House Potter. She didn’t wait for Dumbledore to speak again, instead walking over to the court scribe and handing over the paperwork to be verified there.
When the scribe finished, he looked at the Minister and then Dumbledore before swallowing hard. “The documents are verified, Lady Greengrass has been appointed the proxy of House Potter for the time being.”
Half of the scribe’s words couldn’t be heard over the uproar of noise that sprouted up. But Dumbledore forcefully quieted the crowd again before turning to her. “I cannot help but wonder how you convinced Mr. Potter to make you his proxy, my dear.”
Dumbledore’s words were completely inappropriate for the wizard’s council, but the question he asked was one everyone wanted the answer too. Already, Aspasia could see the rumors of love potions and use of the Imperius curse that would likely be spread in the coming days.
She sniffed. “Mr. Potter was quite amicable when I approached him about being made his proxy, seeing as he didn’t even know he had a Wizengamot seat in the first place.”
Discontent and confused mutters ran through the chamber, and Dumbledore stiffened. She had learned much about Harry in their time together, and knew that the man in front of her was to blame for almost all of the hardships he had to endure. Like hell she would leave this chamber without at least knocking Dumbledore down a peg. Or ten.
“I believe serious questions need to be asked about Mr. Potter’s life, Chief Warlock.” Aspasia continued. “Such as why you of all people knowingly placed him with magic-hating muggles after his parents’ murder.”
Dumbledore reeled back as if struck when the accusation hit, and the room seemed to go deathly still. The Light faction was suddenly gaping in shock or glaring at Dumbledore in suspicion. The Dark faction seemed shook, a surprising reaction in her mind, and were also glaring daggers at Dumbledore. She could only guess their hatred of magic-hating muggles triumphed over their hatred of the boy-who-lived.
Cameras flashed in the reporters gallery, and quills scribbled furiously. Already Aspasia could imagine the new Rita Skeeter article, and internally winced at Harry’s displeasure. She would be sure to more than make it up to him that evening.
She took a deep breath, readying herself for her next move. She had managed to sway both the Light and Dark factions to at least not be overtly hostile against her at this point, which was a win, but her next move would cause trouble.
“House Potter is not the only House I have been asked to be proxy of by Harry Potter.” She said suddenly, and the room quieted again in interest. She handed a new set of documents to the court scribe, whose eyes nearly bulged out of his head in shock. “I have been made the official proxy of House Black, till Harry Potter comes of age.”
The Dark faction instantly erupted in shouts. Denials and threats leapt towards her from the men around Lucius Malfoy, but these were nearly drowned out by the men who had made deals with Malfoy over the years who were red in the face with rage.
After all, Malfoy had heavily cloaked himself in the prestige of House Black for years, being able to do so because his wife was one its few remaining members. She didn’t know all the details, but was well aware of the deals Lucius made using the veneer that came with being Lord of House Black.
“SILENCE!” Dumbledore roared with his wand at his throat, so loud that it drowned out the shouting.
“Lady Greengrass lies!” Someone shouted from the Dark faction.
“Chief Warlock.” Lucius Malfoy began, his face red and clearly seething with fury. “I am the proxy of House Black till my son, Draco, comes of age! My son is the heir of House Black!”
“You are wrong.” Aspasia said calmly facing down Malfoy, who glared back at her with all of his allies. “Harry Potter is the heir of House Black, being designated so by the current Lord, Sirius Black.”
Even more shouts erupted at that announcement, but it was Minister Fudge who spoke this time. “Sirius Black is a criminal! He has no right to make the Potter boy his heir!”
“You are wrong, Minister.” Aspasia said calmly, “Sirius Black is Harry Potter’s godfather, and has already designated him as his heir. Since he is the Lord of House Black, Harry Potter is his heir.”
“He had no right to do such a thing!” Malfoy seethed. “He is a wanted criminal!”
“Sirius Black could have made Mr. Potter his heir before he was incarcerated, it matters not whether he did so before Azkaban or since he escaped. It is the goblins at Gringotts who typically manage inheritance matters and the like, not us.”
She could see Malfoy was desperately trying to think of a response, and that those close to him were already distancing themselves from the man now that he had seemingly lost a great deal of political power. Aspasia didn’t wait for his response, instead turning to the scribe. “Are the documents from Gringotts appointing me to Proxy of House Black verified?”
The scribe nodded. “Yes.”
She turned back to Dumbledore, who looked shaken, but still spoke. “You make take your seat, Lady Greengrass. You are now the Proxy of Houses Potter and Black.”
She heard the growls and mutters of discontent from Malfoy’s group, but ignored them and made her way back to her spot amongst her allies. Her friends all looked at her as if seeing her for the first time, and she had to restrain an amused smirk.
Lady Brown was gaping at her from the next seat over, and Aspasia sent the woman an amused look. Instantly, Evelyn Brown closed her mouth with a click of teeth, and sent her a look that said “we will have a discussion about this”.
“Are there any other claimants?” Dumbledore demanded as he looked around, desperately trying to return the session to order. No one moved to stand, and the man continued. “We shall now move on with the day’s scheduled proceedings. Madam Bones, your report?”
“The Department of Magical Law Enforcement has been busy these past few days, Chief Warlock.” Amelia Bones stood. “The disaster at the World Cup has kept my aurors busy, and we have positively identified several of the men dressed in Death Eater robes who were present.”
“Hem-hem!” Came a girlish voice, one that always seemed to give Aspasia a headache. She was one of many who hated Dolores Umbridge with a passion. “What evidence do you have that these pretenders were actual servants of the deceased Dark Lord?”
“The Dark Mark was present in the skies over the carnage at the World Cup. And was positively identified to be cast by a spell only taught to Death Eaters by Voldemort himself.” Amelia replied simply, a hint of ridicule in her voice. “In addition, several suspects we have identified are recipients of the Dark Mark.”
“That means nothing!” Travers called out from across the room. “Several men of higher standing received the mark while imperiused during the war!”
“And they were let off the hook by claiming to be imperiused.” Lord Macmillan shot back. “A shame there isn’t a Dark Lord around for you lot to claim to be imperiused by anymore!”
A few members of the Dark Faction stood and yelled at the man in outrage, and Dumbledore had to bang his gavel several times to get everyone to quiet down.
“A few, so far, have claimed to be under the imperius curse during the World Cup.” Amelia noted, unhelpfully. “As such, to put this issue to rest once and for all, I suggest several new methods of questioning be added to court proceedings.”
Aspasia couldn’t help but lean forward in her seat in interest, wondering if Amelia was about to do what she thought. She had been on good terms with the head of the DMLE for years, and was friends with her during her Hogwarts years. She knew the redhead better than almost anyone, and knew that the woman absolutely despised the ridiculous Imperius defense.
“I suggest that we allow the use of pensive memories and veritaserum during a trial.” Amelia began, and a rumble of murmurs swept through the crowds in the room. “I have been informed by the Head of the Department of Mysteries that a new enchanted device has been created in order to view untampered pensive memories. It is my belief, and those of my colleagues in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, that such a device would streamline court procedures.”
Everyone knew the Imperius defense was pure hippogriff shit. Aspasia had been the newly appointed Lady of House Greengrass at those trials all those years ago, and had been forced to go along with the whole charade. But her life was different now, as she was the future wife of Harry Potter of all people, and Voldemort’s allies were now her enemies.
She watched as the Dark Faction exploded with rebuttals and arguments against Amelia’s proposal, while Dumbledore’s men did little to oppose them. Lucius Malfoy would do his best to oppose the proposal, but everyone already knew that. Amelia had started the meeting by introducing this new addendum to get people worked up, likely believing that the Dark Faction would expend as much political power possible to stop it. It would possibly stop them from freeing all the Death Eaters that had been caught at the World Cup, as their political capital would already be spent.
Aspasia found the proposal was at least worth fighting for, and Harry’s words about his Godfather surely would be proven true if Amelia’s changes were passed. She suddenly stood, cutting off whatever crap Lucius Malfoy was spewing about occulmency being used to resist Veritaserum. “Madam Bones, House Black requests that the trial transcripts of Sirius Black be brought forwards.”
The room suddenly seemed to pause, and everyone looked at her incredulously. Amelia wasn’t any different, but she still complied, calling a Ministerial House elf who returned with the file on Sirius Black.
“Here is the original arrest warrant issued for Sirius Black, dated on October 31st. The trial…” The DMLE Director trailed off, eyes widening as she flipped through the folder rapidly. “There was no trial…”
Her words were a whisper, but they were heard by the entire room. People started yelling once again, before half the room was up in arms and causing chaos.
Dumbledore quieted them once again, but Aspasia spoke first after the shouting ended. “House Black demands that the kiss on sight order against its Lord, Sirius Black, be rescinded! Since Lord Black never had a trial, his escape from Azkaban and subsequent actions were not illegal since he was being illegally held!”
Another round of jeers and shouting occurred at her speech, and it was Lucius Malfoy who spoke first. “I believe Lady Greengrass forgets herself, defending a man like Sirius Black of all people.”
Aspasia glared at the man, feeling just a smudge of the hatred Harry felt towards Malfoy in that moment. “Careful, Malfoy, your words come dangerously close to that of a line thief. You pretended to be Lord Black for years, while you did nothing to help its current Lord as he rotted away in Azkaban unjustly.”
Malfoy growled, and the men around him all glared at her with hatred. Aspasia ignored them all, instead turning to Amelia. “Lord Potter also wishes to see a trial for Sirius Black, a man he believes to be innocent of the crimes he has been accused of. Harry Potter’s godfather should have raised him, yet a great injustice done by this very body prevented it.”
This was one of the reasons she mentioned Harry’s magic-hating muggle relatives, knowing it would cater sympathy to him despite her betrothed hating it. Driving the point home that Harry should’ve been with Sirius this whole time built upon those feelings, and would only increase the likelihood Sirius would get his freedom quickly.
“This is all nonsense!” Fudge suddenly roared out, glaring at her as he tried to intervene. “Everyone knows it was Sirius Black who betrayed the Potters!”
“If the Minister insists on interfering, I will not hesitate to take this matter to the ICW.” Aspasia said coldly.
“You can’t do that!” Fudge seethed. It was well known the man hated the ICW, a relationship that had soured in the aftermath of the attack at the World Cup. As such, the international body wouldn’t hesitate to take up the case, if only to make Britain look bad.
“Just try it, Fudge.” Aspasia sneered. “Mr. Potter already informed you of Black’s innocence, and that the true culprit of his crimes, Peter Pettigrew, is a rat animagus who is still on the loose.”
The room devolved into hushed conversations, and Fudge reddened considerably. Close-by, Amelia looked ready to clean house within the auror department, and she didn’t doubt her friend would be pulling an all-nighter to get through everything that had been said in this meeting.
“Madam Bones, members of the Wizengamot.” Aspasia began. “Since there are concerns about the use of pensive memories and veritaserum in a trial, I propose the use of them in a demonstration that can substantiate the claim of Sirius Black’s innocence.”
“What do you mean, Lady Greengrass?” Dumbledore looked pale.
“I have three individual pensive memories from people that can confirm Sirius Black’s innocence, and that Peter Pettigrew is not only alive, but a servant of Voldemort.” People hissed at the name, but she continued on. “If this court allows, I will bring these memories forwards, and the pensive device Madam Bones mentioned can be demonstrated.”
Disclaimer: All Characters are over the Age of 18
A/N:
I’ve been stuck on part of the plot for this story, and after a lot of thought, I’ve decided to speed up Harry and Daphne’s relationship. Originally I was going to slowburn it till the Yule Ball, but decided otherwise
Apologies for only one chapter this week, as I had an idea for a marriage contract fic that I wrote part of. You might be seeing that one in the future, with a large HarryxMulti to go with it